Although the sight of two feet of snow on the ground and a promise of more from the weatherman should be enough to discourage even the most violent tennis enthusiast, tennis coach Jack Barnaby is already thinking in terms of what might be "the most successful tennis season in over thirty years."

This thirty-year figure has special significance to Harvard tennis followers, for to fulfill Barnaby's hopes, the varsity will have to defeat Princeton. The last time a Harvard tennis team topped Princeton was in 1923, and since that date, the Tigers have blocked the way to many an undefeated season.

Hopes are high this year mainly because of the arrival of Dale Junta, 1952 National Hardcourt Junior Champion, and the improvement of Captain Brooks Harris. These two, along with last year's number one man, Ham Gravem, will battle for the top three positions.

Of the three, Junta definitely possesses the "biggest" game. His experience comes from many years of play on the Californian hard courts where the power service and crushing net game are of prime importance. However, he will have to adjust his game considerably for the collegiate clay court play.

Harris is the most improved player on the squad. As a freshman, Harris had a noticeably weak backhand and a tendency to try for the winner without setting it up first. Over the past two years he has developed steadiness, and his backhand is now one of his strong points.

Gravem, first man for the past two years, boasts a powerful forehand and plays an aggressive game. Last year, however, he was not very successful in competition against other number-one players.

The combination of Junta, Harris, and Gravem should give the Crimson a powerful top three which it has not had for many years. Also, the probable combination of Junta and Harris at first doubles will add to this upper squad strength.

Returning from last year's team will be Connie Fischer, Steve Kay, Maynard Canfield, Ben Heckscher, and Earl Purnell. These five are strongest in doubles and with a little work they should add to the varsity's singles' strength as well its depth in doubles.

The development of these players, and also the whole team, will depend largely on the spring weather and also on the success of the southern trip. If the team can rapidly round into shape over the week-long southern swing and if the weather this spring is conducive to outdoor play, Barnaby feels that the squad could produce the best tennis seen at the College in many years.

Should the many "ifs" in Barnaby's agenda be realized, the Crimson might possibly be headed towards its first Ivy title in many years.